COVID Vaccination FAQs

1. Is it mandatory to take the vaccine?

Vaccination for COVID-19 is voluntary. However, it is advisable to receive the complete schedule of the COVID-19 vaccine for protecting oneself against this disease and also to limit the spread of this disease to close contacts including family members, friends, relatives, and co-workers.

2. Will the vaccine be safe as it is being tested and introduced in a short span of time?

Vaccines will be introduced in the country only after the regulatory bodies clear it based on its safety and efficacy.

3. Can a person presently having COVID-19 (confirmed or suspected) infection be vaccinated?

Persons with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of spreading the same to others at vaccination sites. For this reason, infected individuals should defer vaccination for 14 days after symptoms resolution.

4. Is it necessary for a COVID recovered person to take the vaccine?

Yes, it is advisable to receive a complete schedule of COVID vaccine irrespective of the past history of infection with COVID-19. This will help in developing a strong immune response against the disease.

5. Out of the multiple vaccines available, how are one or more vaccines chosen for administration?

The safety and efficacy data from clinical trials of vaccine candidates are examined by the Drug regulator of our country before granting the license for the same. Hence, all the COVID-19 vaccines that receive licenses will have comparable safety and efficacy. However, it must be ensured that the entire schedule of vaccination is completed by only one type of vaccine as different COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable.

6. Does India have the capacity to store the COVID vaccine at a temperature of +2 to +8 degrees Celsius and transport them at the required temperature?

India runs one of the largest Immunization programs in the world, catering to the vaccination needs of more than 26 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women. The program mechanisms are being strengthened/geared up to effectively cater to the country's large and diverse population.

7. Will the vaccine introduced in India be as effective as the ones introduced in other countries?

Yes. The COVID 19 vaccine introduced in India will be as effective as any vaccine developed by other countries. Various phases of vaccine trials are undertaken to ensure its safety and efficacy.

8. Can a person get the COVID-19 vaccine without registration with the Health Department?

No, registration of the beneficiary is mandatory for vaccination for COVID 19. Only after registration the information on the session site to visit and time will be shared with the beneficiary.

9. What documents are required for the registration of eligible beneficiaries?

Any of the below-mentioned ID with Photo may be produced at the time of registration:

• Aadhar Card
• Driving License
• Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Job Card
• Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
• PAN Card
• Passbooks issued by Bank/Post Office
• Passport
• Pension Document
• Service Identity Card with photograph issued to employees by Central/ State Govt./ PSUs/Public Limited Companies
• Voter ID
• Smart card issued by RGI under NPR

10. Will a Photo / ID be required at the time of registration?

The Photo ID produced at the time of registration must be produced and verified at the time of vaccination.

11. If a person is not able to produce Photo ID at the session site, whether s/he be vaccinated or not?

Photo ID is a must for both registration and verification of beneficiary at session site to ensure that the intended person is vaccinated.

12. How do I register for the vaccination?

Registration through the Co-WIN Portal:

1. Login to the Co-WIN portal.
2. Register at the portal through your mobile number.
3. An OTP will be sent to your mobile number for verification.
4. Enter the OTP
5. Once OTP is validated, "The Registration of Vaccination" page appears
6. Enter the necessary details in "The Registration of Vaccination" page
7. Below mentioned table shows the details to be entered in "The Registration of Vaccination" page
8. Once the details are entered, click on the "Register" button at the bottom.
9. You will receive a confirmation message on successful registration.

13. COVID Vaccination Centres:

A Covid vaccination center (CVC) can be one of the following types:

Government Health Facilities (GCVC) – These include all Government Medical Colleges, District Hospitals, Sub-District Hospitals, Community Health Centers, Primary Health Centers, and Sub-Health Center. Government Health Facilities also include Central Institutions, Health Facilities of other Ministries such as Railways, ESIC, Home etc. and all CGHS Dispensaries. List of GCVC

Private Health Facilities (PCVC) – For a Private Health Facility to be operated as a PCVC, it would be necessary for such a facility to be empaneled either under the PMJAY or under the CGHS or under any health insurance scheme of the state/UT government. Hence, the private facilities will include –

• All Hospitals empaneled under the PMJAY.
• All Hospitals empaneled under the CGHS.
• All Hospitals empaneled under the health insurance scheme(s) of any state/UT government.

List of PCVC

View all our network hospitals

14. How will the beneficiary receive information about the due date of vaccination?

Following online registration, beneficiaries will receive SMS on their registered mobile number on the due date, place and time of vaccination.

15. Will vaccinated beneficiaries receive information on the status of their vaccination after completion?

Yes. On getting a due dose of the COVID 19 vaccine, the beneficiary will receive SMS on their registered mobile number. After all doses of vaccine are administered, a QR code-based certificate will also be sent to the registered mobile number of the beneficiary

16. If one is taking medicines for illnesses like Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension, etc, can s/he take the COVID19 vaccine?

Yes. Persons with one or more of these comorbid conditions are considered a high-risk category. They need to get COVID -19 vaccination

17. Are there any preventive measures and precautions that one needs to follow at the session site?

We request you to rest at the vaccination center for at least half an hour after taking the COVID-19 vaccine. Inform the nearest health authorities / ANM / ASHA in case you feel any discomfort or uneasiness subsequently. Remember to continue following key COVID Appropriate Behaviours like wearing of a mask, maintaining hand sanitization, and physical distance (or 6 feet or Do Gaj).

18. What about the possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID Vaccine will be introduced only when the safety is proven. As is true for other vaccines, the common side effects in some individuals could be a mild fever, pain, etc. at the site of injection. States have been asked to start making arrangements to deal with any Covid-19 vaccine-related side-effects as one of the measures towards safe vaccine delivery among the masses.

19. How many doses of the vaccine would have to be taken by me and at what interval?

Two doses of vaccine, six to eight weeks apart, need to be taken by an individual to complete the vaccination schedule.

20. When would antibodies develop? After taking the first dose, after taking the second dose, or much later?

Protective levels of antibodies are generally developed two weeks after receiving the 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

21. Some tips and precautions after taking the vaccine:

1. As per the government, after getting vaccinated you are requested to rest at the vaccination center for at least half an hour after taking the vaccine.
2. You're also requested to Inform the nearest health authorities in case you feel any discomfort or uneasiness subsequently.
3. You need to continue following the key COVID Appropriate Behaviours like wearing masks, maintaining hand sanitization and physical distance even after getting vaccinated as protective levels of antibodies are generally developed two weeks after receiving the 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Important Links:

• COVID-19 Hospitalization Guidelines: Covid-19-hospitalization-guidelines

• COVID-19 Guidelines & Self Help Information: Covid-19-guidelines-and-self-help-information

• COVID-19 State/ District Wise Helpline Numbers: Covid-19-hospitalization-guidelines